Basketball: Derby Storm worry over Windless injury

A THIGH injury has cost Tony Windless a place in the Dairylea Dunkers All Star game at Sheffield Arena on 22 March. But, more critically for his club, Derby Storm, the 6ft 5in American is now doubtful for several games in the run-in to the Budweiser League play-off quarter finals.

Windless recovered from a back injury last week, but damaged his thigh warming up for Saturday night's League game at Leicester City Riders, which Derby lost 97-88.

The defeat left Derby in 10th place behind Riders and Chester Jets, the other clubs bidding for the final play-off place who are joint eighth.

Even without Windless, the Derby coach, Jeff Jones, faces a difficult weekend at home to Sheffield Sharks on Saturday and at Birmingham Bullets on Sunday. Windless' place in the North All Star team against the South has gone to Leicester's 6ft 11in centre James Havrilla.